PORTLAND, Ore. — Sports Management Worldwide (SMWW) and Fort Hays State University (FHSU) have announced a new educational partnership that allows eligible military members, veterans and their spouses to use GI Bill® education benefits while preparing for careers in the sports industry.
The Military Pathway combines Sports Management Worldwide's industry-focused curriculum with Fort Hays State University's accredited degree programs, providing students with access to online or on-campus coursework while learning directly from professionals working throughout professional and collegiate sports.
Designed specifically for active-duty service members, veterans and military families, the program recognizes the leadership, discipline, accountability and teamwork developed through military service as qualities highly valued by sports organizations.
"Our goal is to create a direct pathway from military service into meaningful careers throughout the sports industry," said Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, president of Sports Management Worldwide, longtime NFL agent and a 1971 graduate of Fort Hays State University. Lashbrook played as well as taught at FHSU. "The traits that win in the military—leadership, discipline and clutch performance—are the same ones teams need. We built this pathway to translate those strengths directly into sports."
Eligible students can begin by enrolling in as many as three Sports Management Worldwide courses, each taught by active industry professionals. The courses are listed in the Fort Hays State academic catalog and count toward degree requirements before students continue their studies through the university.
Course offerings include Athlete Management (Sports Agent), Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) in Athletics, and Sports Sales & Marketing.
Students will learn from an accomplished faculty that includes Alexa Klein, executive director of partnership activation for the New York Yankees; Jim Van Dam, vice president of ticket sales and service for the Indianapolis Colts; CBS Sports analyst and former NFL agent Joel Corry; NIL marketing specialist Greg Glynn; and Lashbrook.
The partnership prepares students for careers in sports agency, athlete representation, NIL advising, front office and team operations, scouting, player development, coaching support, sports analytics, event and stadium operations, and sports media and communications.
More than 30,000 Sports Management Worldwide graduates currently work throughout the sports business in more than 164 countries.
The pathway also offers flexibility for military lifestyles, allowing students to complete coursework online from anywhere in the world or attend classes on the Fort Hays State campus in Hays, Kansas. The program is structured to accommodate permanent change of station (PCS) moves, deployments and changing duty schedules.
Eligible degree options through Fort Hays State include a Bachelor of Science in Sport & Recreation Management and a Master of Professional Studies in Sport Management, both available online or on campus. An Associate in Sport Studies program is also planned.
For students eligible for 100% Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits, Fort Hays State University bills the Department of Veterans Affairs directly for tuition, eliminating out-of-pocket tuition costs for qualifying students. Military personnel not using GI Bill® benefits may receive a $300 tuition discount on eligible eight-week SMWW online courses.
Students interested in the Military Pathway should complete the standard Sports Management Worldwide application and note "SMWW–FHSU Military Pathway" in the "About You" section before applying to Fort Hays State University and submitting their Certificate of Eligibility for GI Bill® benefits.
Sports Management Worldwide advisors are available to assist military students with benefit verification, transfer credit evaluations and enrollment planning.
For more information, contact: Sports Management Worldwide by clicking this link or call (503) 445-7105. Or toll free at 1-888-95AGENT.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs